Closure for collapsible tubes



Nov. 14, 1933.

J. HAMILTON CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed June 13, 1952 IllPatented Nov. 14, 1933 PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBESJoseph M. Hamilton, San Francisco, Calif.,

assignor of one-half to Ray H. Klstler, San

Francisco, Calif.

Application June 13, 1932. Serial No. 618,771

1 Claim.

This invention relates to collapsible tubes or containers for toothpasteand like semi-fluid material which is dispensed from a tube bycollapsing the latter.

o' It is the principal object of the present invention to provide anexceedingly simple and inexpensive closure device for collapsible tubeswhich will readily permit dispensing of the material but willautomatically close when the col-- lapsing pressure on the tube isrelieved.

In carrying the invention into practice, a diaphragm of flexiblematerial is secured over the open nozzle of the tube. This diaphragm isformed with a slit normally maintained tightly is. closed by theinherent contractile characteristics of the material of which thediaphragm is formed. When pressure is applied to the contents of thetube by collapsing the latter, the elastic qualities of the diaphragmpermit the slit to 20 open to permit the discharge of the tube contents.When the pressure is relieved, the diaphragm contracts to normalposition and causes closing of the slit.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the followingdescription and illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a collapsible tube showing the dischargenozzle thereof in section and fitted with my improved closure device.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the diaphragm expanded to permitdischarge of the tube contents.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the exterior ofmy improved closure.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawing, indicates acollapsible container or tube. This tube is formed with a nozzle 11which is cylindrical in form and which is exteriorly threaded so as toreceive a cap 12. This cap is formed with a concentric opening 14 whichis in alignment, of course, with the axis of the nozzle 11.

Arranged intermediate the cap 12 and the 45 outermost end of the nozzlell-is a circular diaphragm 15 formed of rubber orany other suitableelastic composition. This diaphragm is of a diameter that its marginaledges may be clamped tightly between the adjacent surfaces of the end ofthe cap 12 and the nozzle 11. It will be noticed that the center portionof the diaphragm is convex and projects slightly through the opening 14.

Formed centrally of this convex portion of the diaphragm 15 is a slit16. The inherent elastic (Cl. 22I"60) qualities or characteristics ofthe diaphragm are such that this slit is normally maintained tightlycl0sed.' However, when pressure is applied to the contents of the tube,the convex portion of the diaphragm expans slightly to permit opening ofthe slit 16 and consequently discharge of the material in the tube. Whenthe pressure is relieved, the convex portion of the diaphragm contractsto normal position, closing the slit and sealing the nozzle.

When the tubes are filled and packaged for sale, a cork disk 17 isinterposed between the diaphragm 15 and the end of the nozzle so as toprevent contact of the tube contents with the diaphragm until the tubeis ready for use.

When the tube is ready for use, the cap 12 is removed from the tube byunscrewing it. The removable cork disk is removed from the cap and thecap is again applied to the nozzle as illustrated in Fig. 2. The tube isthen ready for use.

As previously stated, by applying pressure to the contents of the tubeby collapsing the latter, the diaphragm will expand and the materialwill discharge in a thin ribbon.

When the pressure on the tube contents is relieved, the diaphragm due toits inherent contractile qualities will assume a normal position closingthe slit and thus sealing the nozzle.

Inasmuch as the convex portion of the diaphragm projects just slightlyfrom the opening 35 1:, it can be maintained perfectly clean and san- 1ary.

In actual practice I have found that this form of automatic closure forcontainer tubes is very satisfactory and one of the main features of itis that it is exceedingly inexpensive to manufacture. Also, it is highlyefiicient in operation and, while I have shown the preferred form of myinvention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made inits construction by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is: 00

In combination with a tube of the character described, said tube havinga cylindrical nozzle, said nozzle being exteriorly threaded, a caphaving a cylindrical portion interiorly threaded whereby it may bethreaded on the end of said nozzle, said cap having a convexed end wall,said end wall of the cap having an enlarged opening formed centrallytherethrough, the inner surface of the end wall of the cap adjacent theopening being rounded into a shoulder of uniform 0 slope, the outer edgeof said opening being circular, a flexible diaphragm of even thicknessover its entire area interposed between the cap and the nozzle end, themarginal edge of said diaphragm being adapted to be clamped between thecap and the end of the nozzle, the central portion of the diaphragmbeing sufiiciently convex to nest within the opening in the cap andproject just slightly beyond the exterior surface or end of the cap,said convex portion of the diaphragm being formed with a central slitnormally being r

